With both the AFL and NRL securing billion dollar futures, focus has shifted to who will win the cricket broadcasting rights.
My answer is, quite surprisingly, Ten.
They can put the Big Bash League on ONE, sharing coverage with Fox Sports, and broadcast the major Aussie games on Ten.
Nine probably have the strongest desire to win the cricket coverage for the next five years but they may be cash-strapped. Ten reportedly put in an $800 million bid for the NRL rights but got knocked back after Nine and Fox Sports won the rights for $1.25B.
So it would seem Ten would have the most money out of the two free-to-air stations in their sports department at the moment.
Seven are all after the rights as well, but they may not get it because they have the tennis rights, which cross over with the cricket. Cricket Australia would want their game on Seven’s primary channel, not on a low-rating digital channel (7mate) while the tennis is aired.
It is a little surprising Fox Sports want the cricket. I mean, how can they afford it? It’s not like they are billionaires, despite being owned by News Corp.
Regardless, I suspect the lion’s share of the rights will go to Ten as Cricket Australia are aware the exposure for their game will be vastly improved on FTA.
Willam
Guest
I think it wil be TEN who wins it and it seems that TEN are very keen on taking the rights off 9. It will be announced next month
michael
Guest
I disagree it will be fox sports
Matthew Skellett
Guest
I think that :9 will not actively fight for the rights given their cynical comments about cricket's value to them also circumstances being what they are its the "Summer of the 17 th Doll " for the Nine commentary circus mcgurkus-time for them to find another job methinks
Matthew Skellett
Guest
I think that :9 will not actively fight for the rights given their cynical comments about cricket's value to them also circumstances being what they are its the "Summer of the 17 th Doll " for the Nine commentary circus mcgurkus-time for them to find another job methinks
shakeel joo
Guest
cricket ausralia should change the broadcasting partner now
Willam
Guest
I predict TEN Network as Nine Entertianment Co. are facing a huge debt reduction and Seven West Media has got their Tennis Australia TV rights so I would assume that they will try and protect it from being stole from TEN. TEN will lift the CA ratings and treat it well where is Nine just simply didn't care whether or not if they had it but what wil be good live and in HD. TEN Network will make ONE almost turn into a sports channel again with ONE replaying TENs coverage. As for Tennis Australia Channel 7 should not even have the rights and TEN are negotiating with Tennis Australia and if they don't allow TEN then they are un-Australian. Channel 10 knows this if they don't get hold of one of the major sports up for negotiating then they won't have a chance but I see TEN snatching the rights of Nine. They have James Warburton who knows every tricks off the Seven West Media on how to get the TV rights
Matt F
Roar Guru
Nine's cross promotions are nothing compared to what Channel 10 did during the Hopman Cup i.e. having 5-10 minute interviews with "stars" of their own TV shows in between matches
Matt F
Roar Guru
Don't worry. Given the Australian batting line-up at the moment there won't be too many of them!
dynamitedave
Roar Rookie
i wouldn't write nine off, they are not as broke as it would seem. but I would prefer a change. i used to enjoy watching 9 sports, but since about 1990 they have had serious decline in coverage. Cricket Australia number one priority should be to have a clause where we don't have commentators talking about how wonderful "the block" is, or "masterchef" or whatever. stick to cricket, there's an add every 3 minutes so it can bring in a lot of advertising revenue. Ever looked at the ratings of non sport shows on tv? there is a direct relation between the southern states and channel 7 non footy shows and in the north channel nine and non footy show. eg "packed to the rafters" on 7 rates better in the southern states than in the northern. channel 10 know this. and will bid as they have no major sports to cross promote their shows.
AndyMack
Guest
Hold your horses there Balanced. My point is, that having a half-arsed version of cricket coverage on channel 9 isnt really helping anyone. Given the decline in coverage over recent years, if this continues, who is going to want to watch it anyway. Just one long commercial with a bit of cricket thrown in. That is my concern. PS: you dont really know me, so to suggest I dont care about people is a bit rough.
Tenash
Guest
Timmuh if nine were the only serious bidder then the tv deal would have been signed before the 31,Dec 2012 deadline by CA The fact that it wasn't means there is serious interest from 7 and 10 for the cricket rights
Timmuh
Roar Guru
"seriously, Ten?" I see what you did there. Seriously.
Timmuh
Roar Guru
Nine are reportedly going to be laying people off. Hopefully Michael Slater and Ian Healy.
Jason
Guest
The Kids channels are great. Cheaper than a babysitter.
sheek
Roar Guru
Robert - how can you ever learn anything of significant value if you ignore the past.....? Being able to automatically work your iphone, ipad, laptop, xbox, tomtom, etc, doesn't make you worldly-wise.
sheek
Roar Guru
I'm a FoxSports subscriber, but I haven't quite worked out yet whether I'm smart, or just a sucker. I certainly don't believe for one second that I'm getting value for money as a subscriber for pay-TV in Australia. But I keep paying my "hostage" fee every month.....
Timmy
Guest
My fear is if channel 7 gets the rights that we would then have to suffer from even more exposure to Bruce mcavaney. I wouldn't be able to stand 6 hours a day of delicious cover drives
Australian Rules
Guest
"...after Nine and Fox Sports won the rights for $1.25B. " Just to clarify, Nine and Fox paid $1.025B for the NRL rights. As for Ch.10 getting the cricket...why not? Progress is impossible without change!
john
Guest
Wish Bill Lawry was 55 not 75 then he'd still be commentating for another 20 years So sad that Tony Greig is gone, his voice was electric, his hilarious banters with bill and often inexusable but funny mis-statements. Then there's Richie Benaud who may not commentate with the new channel.
Don Corleone
Guest
@balanced I agree. Cricket exclusively on pay TV would alienate a huge proportion of cricket lovers and potential fans. It would be a disgrace if Australian kids were watching Nascar, NBL, MLB and NFL on One HD while cricket was on pay.